Not much going on....

I haven't been here for almost a year.  Retirement seems to suck up all of my time - ha ha!  About the only exciting thing that happened was that I went out my door one morning to see bear footprints on the sidewalk.

I never did see the bear but certainly paid attention whenever I came out of the house or in from the parkade!

Heading into fall 2016

Summer carried on - Judy, Sharon and Abigail had their usual camping trip to Sandspit.  Then the trips out to see the Kokanee spawning, always a hit.

Walking to improve lung function takes up quite a bit of time.  But the rewards are also in the amazing scenery that we have here in Nelson. 

The flowers at Lakeside were the usual spectacular this year.  I just loved the brilliant orange geraniums.

The lake was quite calm on this lovely morning.

And the view in the other direction as well.

Then one day when I was downtown I looked up and saw these clouds over the courthouse.

In the afternoon the sun is at a different angle now and the colors of the leaves are changing.  I just love the effects.

This statue is in Lakeside Park near the water.  It is very striking.

These maple trees are fulfilling their promise of color.

Nostalgia Tour 2016

For several years I have wanted to see the Celebration of Light fireworks competition in Vancouver and since I am now retired I don't have to worry about getting home for work.  Because I would enjoy it more not on my own, II asked Kevin to meet me.  When I found that I could only get a flight down on Friday and back on Monday we realized that we had to fill our time.  So we decided to go back forty years and see all the old haunts.  We kept wishing that Diarmid could have been with us as we recounted stories.  His ears must have been burning.  I picked up an Air Miles rental car and then picked Kevin up at the ferry landing.

When we lived in Surrey the kids were small and we didn't have a lot of money so we did a lot of free activities that we all enjoyed.  So our first goal was Stanley Park - many happy hours of memories here.  But when the kids were small their attention spans were much more limited so Kevin and I were able to do many more activities in one day  I don't remember having time to walk on the sea wall because we were always too busy going to see the animals in the park, and the train - even riding it the odd time.  What did amaze me is the price of parking in Vancouver - holy moly!  So we walked on the seawall.

Then we walked along some of the paths towards the area where the animals once were housed and tormented.  I remember especially the gibbons and the polar bears and the otters and the peacocks.
The only unusual animal we saw this time was a raccoon, sitting on a fence helping himself to the contents of a garbage can right beside a sign that asked people not to feed the raccoons.

We didn't have time to tour the Aquarium - one of our frequent stops when we lived in the lower mainland.  We always had a yearly pass and would visit about once a month, hardly getting past the fresh water fish as the octopus had such a draw for the kids.

Then on to Lynn Canyon Park, another spot of peace in the otherwise busy city.  We went across the suspension bridge - in much better shape than it was forty years ago - and walked along the paths and boardwalks down the creek, then faced the return journey up the paths and boardwalks and oh so many stairs.

We started Saturday by going to Surrey to see where we had lived.  As we drove into the parking lot of the townhouses we were both amazed how small it was.  I could understand Kevin thinking it small but I was an adult when we lived there!  Then we drove past the duplex and were amazed at how much the area has grown with high rise buildings.  We went past the school Kevin had attended and the park where we went swimming and on to the ball field where we spent so many happy hours while Kevin and his teammates played T-ball.

The next stop on the tour was Simon Fraser University where both Kevin and Diarmid had attended.  The residences seem to be under renovation but it is after all summer time.  We walked all across the quadrangle and stopped for lunch on campus.

Queen Elizabeth Park is still much the same with the carefully manicured gardens.  We reminisced about the times that we had spent in the conservatory looking at all the interesting plants and birds.  This time we just wandered around the gardens and took some photos of that amazing Vancouver skyline.

Then we decided that we should go to Jericho beach to watch the fireworks rather than try to fight the crowds downtown and back following.  We got to Jericho around 7 PM and found a parking lot right next to the beach access.  So the concession provided Kevin's hot dog dinner - nothing like a hot dog on the beach.  And we waited while enjoying the solitude and the beach.  It was very relaxing watching the waves and the people.  The fireworks was in the distance but the noise was as well.  They put on an incredible display.  And going back to the hotel was not difficult.

On Sunday we chose to go to Sechelt and this day I truly missed Diarmid as he was born in Sechelt.  The village that we lived in has now grown to a city and is quite different now.  We did drive by the old house and took a photo.  When we had this house built all the earth tones were in and vinyl siding was a thing of the future.  I think I like it better now that it is blue.  We had lunch at a pub on the inlet and drove out to Porpoise Bay park where we used to spend summer days at the beach.  And then came back for the second ferry ride that day.  Reminds me why I don't much like ferries.

We decided to go to Lonsdale Quay.  I had not been there before but Kevin and Tina have enjoyed it.  Silly me, I thought that it was an outdoor dock, not the beautiful space that it is.  Makes sense that it is indoors in Vancouver.

On the way back to the hotel we decided that we needed another hike and so stopped in Pacific Spirit Regional Park and walked along some trails there, only leaving when it became dusk.

On Monday morning we went to Steveston and decided to walk at Garry Point Park before heading back to the ferry.  Poor Kevin - he rode the ferry FOUR times that weekend.  Fortunately he is able to use his time wisely - sleeping.

I came home pretty tired but grateful for the trip and the company.

Zip-lining

Ever since the zip-line opened last year I have wanted to try it and the opportunity arose.  It was so much fun!  I went with some people from work.

Here we are all kitted out in our gear.  The smiles only grew.

Here we are on the first platform as seen from the second.

This is Courtney's first zip.

Cheryl was extremely brave considering her confessed fear of heights.

The zip-lines got longer and the views were incredible.

Then when we were done we drove up to Gibson Lake to feed the mosquitoes.

Found a stranger to take our photo.

We saw a marmot up close.

And Courtney takes beautiful photos of the scenery along the road.

What a great day!

Emily's grad

We had lots of fun helping Emily celebrate her high school graduation.  Her Dad came from Kitimat and her sister came with family from Prince George to be part of the fun.  The cap and gown ceremony on the Friday evening showed us the calibre of the class and the friends that Miss Em has gathered along the way.

Then on Saturday Emily came to my house to get all dressed in her gorgeous dress before photos, the grand march, the cavalcade, dinner, the prom and the all-night party.

Here she is with her grad partner.

They seemed to have a great time doing the grand march (stroll) around the arena.

This was followed by the parent-child dance.  Emily and Art looked great.

And when all the festivities were over, Austin came for his hug carrying a dozen roses.

The cavalcade was mostly dry but the heavens opened near the end.  We went to Bogustown India for a great dinner and then Emily went off to prom and the party without us.  

Trip to Saskatchewan May 2016

Had a great trip to visit many relatives.  Started by driving to Calgary via Hwy 22

 and spending the night with Gord, Deanne, Liam and Lara in their lovely home.  This is the first time that I have been to visit since they moved from Rocky.  Too bad I forgot to take any photos there!  They are in a great neighborhood with lots of kids and seem to be quite happy there.

The next day I drove to Red Deer and had coffee with Jenny Bueckert, Jimmy's step-daughter.  We had a really nice visit.  Again no camera!

From there to Edmonton for lunch with Al Reed and Nancy.  Then Al led me to the outskirts of town to avoid all the construction.  I sure appreciated that.

And spent that night in Lloydminster with Sara and Jason, Jimmy's other step-daughter.  They are expecting their first child in only a few days.  They have a great home and I enjoyed the walk that we took in Bud Miller Park.  It is full of walking trails that wind around.  It sure was a good thing that I didn't have to find my way home on my own!  And once more - no photos!

Then I made it to North Battleford to visit Darlene who entertained me royally for a couple of days.  It was very interesting to compare condos and policies and practices.  I learned that Battleford was once the capital of the Northwest Territories during our ride around town.  What a pretty place!

Darlene came with me to Leacross to visit Clarence and Kathy Reed on our way to Carrot River.  I finally found my camera again!

This is their house, and behind me is the barn.  They have fixed it up with beds and furniture in the loft and it is quite comfy. (We did not stay there though)

Then on to Carrot River to stay with Wanda and Hezz.  We had a great weekend of visiting and eating - I had never had elk backstraps before.  Hezz cooked them along with some fish that he had caught.  Darlene visited with a fellow she had gone to school with but hadn't seen for a very long time.  We went to Tobin Lake to visit with Perry and Susan and to see where they are putting their new RTM house (Ready to Move for us BC folks).  And we were fortunate enough to see Kathy Button and her family as they opened their cabin for the summer.
As well, we did the cemetery tour with Kathy and Clarence - to Silver Stream to say hi to Mom and Dad and the Wormans.

Then on to Ridgedale to visit with Granny and Grandpa McDiarmid, Uncle Ernie and Aunt Islay.

I don't know what that lichen or moss is but it could sure leave my grandparents in peace.

Cemeteries are sure pretty in Saskatchewan.  

And to round out the cemetery trio we visited Tisdale where Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Arthur (Clarence's parents) are buried, along with Uncle Archie and Aunt Dean (Darlene's parents).

The day was capped off with a dinner of Chinese food at a great restaurant in Tisdale, followed by the 45 minute drive back to Carrot River.  Cards and fun followed.

Then good-bye to Carrot River, dropped Darlene back in North Battleford and on my way home, feeling refreshed with that lovely prairie break.